A Chinese unmanned aircraft, identified as the Wing Loong-2, crashed at the Jingzhou Olympic Sports Centre in Hubei Province on the morning of December 12.
The incident took place at approximately 11:10 a.m. local time and quickly gained widespread attention as images of the aftermath began circulating on the Chinese social media platform.
The Hubei Jingzhou Economic Development Zone first reported the crash via WeChat, with images on Weibo showing the unmanned aerial vehicle engulfed in flames.
The crash resulted in one reported injury, with the individual currently receiving medical treatment. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.
The drone was reportedly involved in a testing flight when it lost control and collided with a building, as confirmed by the state-backed Global Times.
A video, seemingly captured by nearby CCTV or a dashboard camera, shows the drone falling from the sky and crashing into a building, reinforcing reports that the aircraft lost control during its flight.
The drone involved is believed to be linked to China’s Ministry of Emergency Management, as indicated by a Chinese character “应急” (emergency) visible on the wreckage.
This suggests the aircraft may have been a Wing Loong 2H, a variant of the Wing Loong-2 operated by civilian agencies.
Manufactured by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the Wing Loong series has been marketed as a perfect solution for military and civilian purposes. These drones have seen increasing use in disaster response scenarios.
In 2021, a Wing Loong 2H was deployed during severe floods in Henan province, where it helped restore emergency communications after traditional networks were disabled.
The drone’s ability to provide mobile phone coverage over a 50 square kilometer area was instrumental in facilitating rescue operations.
In August 2023, the Wing Loong 2H was dispatched to assist in emergency response efforts during Typhoon Doksuri in Fujian province, surveying the damage caused by the storm and offering real-time data to ground crews.
Wing Loong II UAV
The Wing Loong II UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is an upgraded version of its predecessor, the Wing Loong I, featuring a larger body and expanded wingspan.
The aircraft is designed with a sleek fuselage, a V-tail, and a ventral fin, contributing to its distinctive appearance. It has retractable landing gear and comprises two main wheels beneath the fuselage and a single nose wheel.
Each wing of the Wing Loong II has three hardpoints capable of carrying various payloads, including bombs, rockets, and air-to-surface missiles.
The drone also features a satellite communication antenna located on the top front of the fuselage, enabling long-range data transmission between the UAV and the ground station.
The drone was first unveiled to the public at the 2016 Airshow China in Zhuhai. The Wing Loong II boasts impressive endurance and range, which allows it to carry substantial payloads while remaining operational in challenging conditions, including high winds up to 10 on the Beaufort scale.
The drone is outfitted with various advanced sensors, including electro-optical pods, synthetic aperture radar, and aerial cameras. This makes it suitable for a range of military and civilian missions.
The Wing Loong 2H variant, in particular, is designed for emergency response and communication roles, with the capability to relay telecommunications signals and deliver essential supplies. It can also be fitted with specialized pods for these purposes.
The Wing Loong 2H made its operational debut in July 2021, when it was deployed to support rescue efforts in Central China’s Henan Province following catastrophic flooding caused by unprecedented heavy rainfall.
In October 2023, the strike-capable Wing Loong II (GJ-2) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was recorded for the first time entering Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Last year, AVIC Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) showcased Wing Loong II’s advanced capabilities through a comprehensive demonstration highlighting its proficiency in climbing, cruising, and low-altitude operations.
Li Yidong, the chief designer of the Wing Loong series, said that the UAV’s applications are continually expanding. He revealed that future developments will integrate cutting-edge technologies such as 5G+, the industrial internet, artificial intelligence, and big data.
While the Wing Loong II is often compared to the US-made MQ-9 Reaper, it has a lower maximum speed and altitude. Nevertheless, its extended endurance and evolving capabilities make it an essential tool for military and civilian missions.
The Wing Loong family has been exported to multiple countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Pakistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, demonstrating its global appeal and adaptability.
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